ANGRY Nantwich landlords have defended new laws allowing their customers to drink into the early hours.

They claim critics who slam them as irresponsible are not moving with the times.

The 24-hour drinking laws which come into force in November have sparked a storm of protest among residents living near town centre pubs. They say late hours will lead to more trouble with drunken revellers running riot in the conservation area.

One protester even invited judges for England's Favourite Market Town competition to visit Nantwich after 8pm and see the town 'overtaken by binge drinkers and hooligans.'

Licensees have hit back saying: 'The Government makes the rules, not us.'

Phil Martin, licensee at the Crown Hotel for nearly 25 years said: 'The Government's introduced these laws and they expect the borough council to implement them so why are people on our backs?

'The situation in Nantwich is no different to what it was in the 60s and 70s.'

Anne Mumford, of Harrison's Cafe Bar, said: 'It's ridiculous people should think Nantwich is just a big haven for trouble. They should look at what goes on in big cities to get a proper perspective of violence.'

Police at Nantwich back the licensees and say they cannot praise them enough for their cooperation with the law.

Inspector Chris Brierley said: 'We have regular Pubwatch meetings with licensees and they fully support our endeavours and there are no stumbling blocks in our relationship.

'I have always maintained that Nantwich is a nice town to police and a nice town to live in.'

Nantwich Town Council vice-chairman Steve Hope said: 'I can see why people, especially the elderly, have this fear of crime and fear of the un-known.

'But licensees are only doing what the Government has said they can.'

DO YOU AGREE WITH THE LANDLORDS?

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